Investments in manufacturing in eastern Germany: 2004 strong overall increase, for 2005 cutbacks offset by growth in all industry branches

According to the latest results of the Ifo Investment Survey in eastern Germany, manufacturing firms in eastern Germany will invest €7 billion this year and will thus fall below the previous-year level (2004) by around €500 million. These plans are clearly under the investment volumes of the mid- and late-1990s but clearly above the levels of 2002 and 2003. For 2004 an increase of 16% to €7.5 billion is expected. The lion's share will come from the electronic industry and road vehicle construction.